What does playsuit mean?
A playsuit is a garment associated with children, play, and informal activity. In its most common sense, it is a one-piece outfit with a top and trousers joined together, often made from practical, comfortable fabric such as cotton. It may have long or short sleeves and may fasten at the shoulders or crotch. The term can also describe a matching two-piece outfit of a top and trousers, especially in clothing shops and casual fashion contexts. A playsuit is usually associated with playtime, but it can be worn for any ordinary casual occasion. The word is especially frequent in descriptions of babies and young children, where it emphasizes ease of movement and a playful appearance. Its compound structure is transparent: “play” suggests its intended use or informal character, while “suit” refers to a complete set of clothing. The word is related to the broader family of forms built from “play,” including “player,” “playful,” and “playable.”
nounA one-piece garment, usually for a child, with a top and trousers joined at the waist. It may also refer to a matching two-piece outfit consisting of a top and trousers, especially one intended for informal or active wear.
- A one-piece garment for a child, with a top and trousers joined at the waist.
- A matching casual two-piece outfit consisting of a top and trousers.
"She put on a striped playsuit before going outside to play."
"The baby wore a soft cotton playsuit while playing on the floor."
"She bought a matching playsuit for the concert."
The regular plural is used for individual garments or outfits.
"The shop sells colorful playsuits for babies."
A playsuit turns the everyday act of getting dressed into a signal that playtime is about to begin.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does playsuit come from?
“Playsuit” is an English compound formed from “play” and “suit.” The combination refers to clothing intended for play and developed into a general term for a child's one-piece garment. The suffix “suit” is also the source of related words such as “suitcase” and “swimsuit,” while “play” gives rise to forms such as “player” and “playful.”
How playsuit is actually used
The word is most commonly used for children's clothing. The two-piece sense is less frequent but is common in retail descriptions of matching casual outfits. In British English, “play suit” is also occasionally written as two words.
Easily confused with playsuit
A playsuit can be a one-piece outfit extending from the shoulders to the legs, whereas a romper is generally a shorter one-piece garment for a baby or young child, often with attached or separate leggings.